NBA ALL STAR SNUBBS

The reserves for this years NBA all star game have finally been announced.  As usual their are a few names on this list that completely baffle me.

For some reason the consensus around the league is that a player on a winning team is more deserving of an all star appearance than a player from an average or mediocre team.  I strongly disagree with that notion.  No player can control the front office decision making of a franchise.  As a player all you can really do is work hard and be ready when called upon, some more often than others.  Although I do not agree with this notion it is an unwritten rule around the NBA.  I wonder what the coaches were thinking when Joe Johnson was named to this years team as a reserve.  Joe remains one of the best off guards in the league with his back to the basket.  At times this year he's looked  like the perennial all star he once was in Atlanta.  Those moments don't come too often and frankly 15.7ppg 3.4rpg and 2.8apg don't cut it as all star worthy.  Especially from a player on an underachieving team.  Sorry Joe!

Next I want to talk about the snub of all snubs.  On a yearly basis a few guys with stellar numbers will be left off the squad.  Anthony Davis being left off this years team is quite frankly a slap in the face.  Davis missed time earlier this season which may have played a role in him being snubbed.  Davis actually returned way ahead of schedule and managed to still play in 37 games.  Davis is averaging 20ppg and 10rpg.  Not only is he leading the league in blocks at 3.27 per game but also leads the league in total blocks at 121.  All from a guy who missed significant time.

Two guys who definitely deserve some recognition this year are Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins.  Cousins numbers are without a doubt all star worthy.  In fact I cannot remember a time in NBA history when a guy averaged 22.6ppg and 11.6rpg and was left off the all star team.  Cousins reputation around the league may have did him in.  He is known amongst NBA coaches as being unprofessional and a bit of a cry baby.  In years to come if Cousins learns to harness his emotions he will be a perennial  all star.  IT2 is having an amazing season and I hope everyone takes notice.  The feisty guard has posted excellent averages of 19.9ppg which is tied for 16th in the NBA  and 6.6apg which is 13th in the NBA.  IT2 has still has work but he has a shot at being one best players in league history under 6 feet tall which is a short list no pun intended.

The Last player I want to talk about today is Aaron Afflalo.  I am well aware and don't need to be reminded that Afflalo is on the second worst team in the league.  However Afflalo's steady improvement has been special to watch.  His scoring average has improved every year he's been in the league.  Afflalo doesn't really have an all star type of game.  He is one of the most efficient players in all of the NBA.  Averages of 20ppg 3.7apg and 4.3rpg while shooting 47% from the field at least deserve some recognition.  I didn't hear much about Afflalo when the coaches decision on reserves was being announced.